Small, nippy SUV, 20-25k, insurance friendly

[macron]

Inner city Glasgow and a small garage means I have 4.75m max to play with, would like 0-60 in 5 seconds or less (ideally), however having hit a "milestone" birthday some things are uninsurable (or at least at levels I'm not willing to pay)

Examples, C43AMG (fancied another), £1400 to cover with a grand excess. Err, no. Land Rover products, even with a ghost, basically forget it.

Then I took a trip in a Cupra Ateca, and found it arguing if it was squidgy or sporty, but despite the Golf R underpinnings, it was under half the cost to insure a Golf R. And it's fairly quick. Which got me looking at other things:

X3 M40i is nice, but 25k is bottom fishing spec and miles for 7+ year old cars, insurance is strong, but I'd live with it for the older BMW dash and that you can get good lumbar if someone has specd it.

Good seats are a must! Which might rule out the Ateca tbh, unless there were options, but I can't see anything shown on what's for sale. Am I missing them? Or did you have to go VW to get that?

Macan, insurance too much, SQ5 is diesel and costly to insure, and 6k/ year tops doesn't suit that stinky engine.

Haven't checked insurance, and concerned theft is too easy but am I wrong- Stelvio with the 280hp petrol might work, are they any good?

Polestar 2 with the 4WD might work, there's a really long thread in the EV section I should read, are owners happy?

Anything else? Petrol preferred, can cope with full EV, sub 50k miles and modest running costs (30+ mpg on a run would be useful but isn't really a deal breaker).

What have I missed?

[Shabaza]

If you are considering a Polestar 2, its also worth checking out a Volvo C40, it is cheaper than the XC40 electric equivalent as it is lesser known and often comes with all the toys.

Ive had both Polestar and C40 as company cars, looks aside, I preferred the Volvo

[macron]

Interesting,

Although are they quick? In budget they seem to be 7 to 69, which is adequate, but not what I really want.

[edc]

JCW Mini Countryman?

[RizzoTheRat]

The T-Roc is available with about 300bhp, not sure if the handling is any different from the Seat though.

[Rayny]

Probably the only EV that is insurable in Glasgow, for a man of 'a certain age' at an acceptable premium.
https://www.wayfair.co.uk/garden/pdp/homcom-car-an...

Alternatively, the Suzuki Across hybrid or the Mercedes EQA almost fit the acceleration criteria - Though I have no idea about the insurance cost.

[ChrisH72]

How small is small?

To me, cars like the X3 and Stelvio are massive and if you're prepared to go a bit smaller you could get more for your money. Might also meet the nippy requirements too.

X2 M35i

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024122074...

Countryman

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025040108...

Kona N (looks fun)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025041814...

Cupra Formentor. Might be sportier than the Atecca.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025042918...

SQ2

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025040509...

[macron]

Some good suggestions, thanks,

Tried an X2 last week, naff all room in the back, need it for adults to get around. A shame, for what they are I think they look quite different and good for it. Will hunt down a Q2 to check if it's similar or not, I has an RSQ3 for a bit which was fun, I need a bit more overall size than that, the boot was hopeless, hence happy to push to the 4.75 I can.

And yes, X3 looks huge, not least as all X's seems to be the same size or bigger than the previous smaller model, but they're only 4.71m, which in the context of modern cars is not big. Obvs the 1st gen was 4.56 long, and the first gen X5 only 4.66!

[ChrisH72]

Mazda CX60

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025041112...

4.745m long. You'd have 5mm to spare!

[ChrisH72]

I must admit if you like straight line speed there are plenty of EV options available.

I quite like the Kia EV6

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025040108...

It's probably worth giving them a go before committing to ICE, especially if an EV would work for you.

[gmaz]

Genesis GV60, Kia EV3

[RizzoTheRat]

macron said:

Tried an X2 last week, naff all room in the back, need it for adults to get around. A shame, for what they are I think they look quite different and good for it. Will hunt down a Q2 to check if it's similar or not, I has an RSQ3 for a bit which was fun, I need a bit more overall size than that, the boot was hopeless, hence happy to push to the 4.75 I can.

Is that due to lack of headroom in the X2? I tried a new X1 the other day and the back seats were ok, not as much legroom as bigger cars but plenty of headroom.
The RAV4 was way better though if you want back seat space. 0-60 in a bit under 6 seconds in the PHEV version but not sure what year that would equate to on the given budget.